KILWINNING Rangers can go into the Premier Division playoff with confidence after a morale-boosting victory on Monday night.

That was the view of manager Chris Strain after they defeated Auchinleck Talbot 2-0 to officially make the end-of-season showdown.

However they will have to wait until after the weekend to find out who their opponents will be as the places in the Super First Division will not be decided until then.

It was a rare victory at Beechwood for a Buffs side, who lost there in the Scottish Junior Cup earlier this season.

Strain was impressed with how his side played and said: "I felt we played well, it was a good performance, we deserved it. Auchinleck had a few changes as did we. Liam McGuinness played in an unusual position and was outstanding and Carlo Monti played as a full-back, which he has not for a number of years, we had square pegs in round holes. Everybody stood up and we scored two good goals.

"Hopefully the result will give us confidence and we can build on it in the coming weeks as we prepare for the playoffs. We are looking forward to the challenge."

Buffs also have an outstanding Ayrshire Weekly Press Cup semi-final at home to Talbot, although that won't be played before the Scottish Junior Cup final.

Irvine Victoria on Saturday return to action as they face Kilsyth Rangers away in their penultimate Super First Division match.

The relegated side beat Shettleston 4-3 away in their last game and will be looking to build on that as the aim to end the season on a high.